If you do not agree with a benefit decision

For Social Security Scotland benefits

You can ask Social Security Scotland to look again at what they've decided if either:

• you've had a letter telling you that you're not going to be paid a Social Security Scotland benefit and you think you should
• you think the amount you're going to be paid is wrong

How to ask Social Security Scotland to look again at what they've decided

For:

• Best Start Grant
• Scottish Child Payment
• Young Carer Grant
• Funeral Support Payment
• Carer's Allowance Supplement if you have a genuine and sufficient link to Scotland but live outside of the United Kingdom in the European Economic Area or Switzerland.

There are 2 ways:

• by calling 0800 182 2222 (freephone, 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday)
• applying by paper form and returning your completed form to:
  Social Security Scotland
  PO Box 10303
  Dundee
  DD1 9FY

  You’ll also get this form with the letter telling you whether you’ll be paid the benefit.

For Best Start Foods and Job Start Payment, you can only ask Social Security Scotland to review what they've decided by calling 0800 182 2222.

From the day you're told whether you'll be paid a Social Security Scotland benefit, you have 31 days to ask Social Security Scotland to look again at what they decided. If you want to ask Social Security Scotland after the 31 days have passed, you'll need to let them know the reason why. If you do not provide a reason, Social Security Scotland will refuse your request.

For Child Winter Heating Assistance:

There are 2 ways:

• calling 0800 182 2222 (freephone, 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday)
• applying by paper form and returning your completed form to:
  Social Security Scotland
  PO Box 10303
  Dundee
  DD1 9FY

  You’ll also get this form with the letter telling you whether you’ll be paid the benefit.

From the day you're told whether you'll be getting Child Winter Heating Assistance, you have 42 days to ask Social Security Scotland to look again at what they decided. If you want to ask Social Security Scotland after the 42 days have passed, you'll need to let them know the reason why. If you do not provide a reason, Social Security Scotland will refuse your request.

After Social Security Scotland has got your request

Social Security Scotland will contact you to:

• confirm they've got and are able to look at your request
• find out if there's anything else they need from you

From the day of getting your request, Social Security Scotland has 16 working days to make a decision. After these 16 working days have passed, you'll be sent a letter to let you know what they've decided.

If you do not agree with a new decision

You have the right to appeal a decision about your benefits for:

• Best Start Grant
• Scottish Child Payment
• Young Carer Grant
• Funeral Support Payment
• Carer's Allowance Supplement if you have a genuine and sufficient link to Scotland but live outside of the United Kingdom in the European Economic Area or Switzerland
• Child Winter Heating Assistance

Appeals go to the Social Security Chamber of the First-tier Tribunal for Scotland (the Tribunal).

You can appeal to the Tribunal if:

• you do not agree with what Social Security Scotland decide
• Social Security Scotland tell you they have not been able to look at their decision again within 16 working days

You cannot appeal to a Tribunal for Best Start Foods or Job Start Payment.

If you need help filling in your form

Call free on 0800 182 2222 if you need help or a new form. You can also get help with your form from groups such as Citizens Advice Scotland.

For any other UK benefits

You can find out more about how to challenge a benefit decision about any other UK benefit on GOV.UK.

This includes things like:

• Universal Credit
• any type of Tax Credits